The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has confirmed that construction on the Watt Interchange project is scheduled to start in April 2018.

The project, which is expected to cost approximately R260 million, will start with the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, from Arkwright Avenue to Chadwick Avenue along Old Pretoria Road.

New BRT lanes

According to Christo Botes, JDA CEO, the agency has appointed a contractor with the expectation that construction activities will be completed by the end of June 2019.

The scope of works on the project will include demolishing the existing bridge and the interchange at Watt Street as well as the construction of the new east west link from Rautenbach Avenue to Watt Street with a new at grade intersection on Pretoria Main Road.

The upgrade will also see the construction of new BRT lanes and a station underground below the new at grade intersection with associated structures, lateral support and the bulk earthworks.

Connecting people

Watt Interchange forms part of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) System, Phase 1C which includes the Section 8 trunk route from Sandton to Alexandra along Rivonia and Katherine Drives, and the Section 15 trunk route from Parktown in Johannesburg to Alexandra along Louis Botha Avenue.

Botes says he confident that the residents from Arkwright Avenue to Chadwick Avenue along Old Pretoria Road and adjacent areas will have a safe commuting environment, less congestion and a healthy life style.

“The JDA will keep on implementing projects that connects people with opportunities to live, work, play, learn and provide an overall improvement of the quality of life,” he concludes.